Shillong, Feb 19: The state government has strongly backed the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) against the “fake degrees” claim made by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Degrees awarded by the USTM are legitimate, said chief secretary DP Wahlang on Monday while strongly refuting Sarma’s remark that degrees awarded by the university were “fake”.
“USTM is a state university. It is mandated by the State Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya. The degrees are recognised by the UGC. Therefore, there is no question of them being fake. It is a genuine university, and it is supported by the Government of Meghalaya,” Wahlang told reporters on Wednesday.
The chief secretary was responding to recent remarks of the Assam chief minister, who accused USTM of large-scale fraud, issuing fake degrees, and financial mismanagement.
Sarma claimed that PhDs were sold, exams lacked credibility, and the institution operated without academic integrity.
Earlier, education minister Rakkam A Sangma also challenged the Assam chief minister to provide substantial evidence to support his allegations.
